Stranded motorists during a protest against’deplorable’ state of Lekki-Epe expressway on Wednesday
By Idris Olukoya
Epe (Lagos State) – Vehicular movement was distrupted for several hours on the Lekki-Epe Expressway on Wednesday as motorists protested the ‘deplorable’ condition of the highway.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the protesters blocked both sides of the busy highway around T-Junction, causing traffic gridlock which stretched for over 10 kilometres.
NAN reports that the blockade, which began at about 6a.m. continued until early afternoon when the protesters dispersed.
NAN reports that the heavy downpour did not deter the protesting motorists who also bocked the Epe-Ikorodu highway.
The drivers used their cars to block the road, leaving road users stranded, while many trekked long distances to beat the gridlock.
One of the protesters, Mr Tunde Jinadu, a commercial driver, told NAN that the failed sections of the expressway had resulted in high maintenance cost on their vehicles.
“The bad road is making motorists spend more on maintenance. This protest is a warning signal for the government to fix the road as soon as possible.
“We were happy when Hi-Tech Construction Company workers were sighted on the expressway, thinking work will begin anytime soon, but nothing was done,” he said.
According to him, trucks are the major cause of the terrible condition of the road.
“We are fed up with the neglect of this road by Lagos State Government,” he said.
Another driver, Mr Sulaiman Lamidi, who was drenched by the morning rainpour, also expressed dissatisfaction with the “neglect oftof road for so long.”
“I am a private transporter and I ply this road everyday. I take passengers from Lagos to Port Harcourt and I am happy this is happening.
“If it will take us to also block Epe-Ijebu Ode expressway boundary, I am totally in support.
“The government should wake up and come to the people’s rescue, “he said.
NAN reports that policemen from Epe Division were on hand to ensure that the protesters were orderly.
“As you can see, my men are at the scene of the protest to control and manage the situation,” Epe Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Adekunle Tokosi, told NAN during the protest.
(NAN)
